Mrs Shirley was honoured on national Thank a Teacher Day, as the country celebrated the people who make our schools so special. She was delighted to be named as one of 80 Pearson National Teaching Award winners across the country and honoured to win a Silver Award in the Award for Digital Innovator of the Year for her outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children she works with every day.

Mrs Shirley’s forward-thinking digital strategy has transformed teaching and learning for the near 4,000 pupils across the Trust, helping to improve accessibility, encourage pupils’ confidence and creativity when using technology and supporting staff to maximise EdTech tools in the classroom. At the heart of this strategy is the Google Chromebook 1:1 programme, which ensures each pupil in Key Stage Two is equipped with personal Chromebooks to use in lessons and at home to continue their learning.

"I am so happy to have been awarded the Silver Award for Digital Innovator, which would have not been possible without the support of my amazing colleagues at LEO Academy Trust who work tirelessly daily to provide the best education for our young people. It was a pleasure to meet so many inspirational people at the awards ceremony who are really making a difference in education."

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